The Hebrew yaqqir describes something or someone who is precious, costly, or dear. The word appears in Jeremiah 31:20 where God calls Ephraim His 'dear son' β a treasured, precious child. Related to the root meaning to be heavy or costly, yaqqir captures the preciousness of something valued so highly that its loss would be grievous.
God's declaration of Ephraim as His 'yaqqir son' (Jeremiah 31:20) is one of the most tender expressions of divine pathos in the entire Old Testament. Despite Israel's rebellion and exile, God's heart still yearns for them: 'Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him.' This love β costly, cherishing, parental β is the foundation of the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Believers in Christ are God's beloved, precious children.